The casting for Ridley Scott’s The Martian, starring Matt Damon, continues to impress, as two new names have been thrown into the ring.

Deadline reports that Kate Mara (House Of Cards and the upcoming TheFantastic Four) has been given an offer to star in the film in an unknown role. She’s yet to accept it, apparently, but the role is hers if she wants it.

Mackenzie Davis in Halt And Catch Fire

Meanwhile, The Wrap reports that Mackenzie Davis (AMC’s Halt And Catch Fire) is in “final negotiations” to join the sci-fi movie in “a small but crucial role, though character details are being kept under wraps.”

Interestingly, The Wrap mentions that the previously rumoured Jessica Chastain is confirmed, although Deadline‘s piece notes that she and Kristen Wiig are still circling the same role as previously rumoured.

The film, adapted by Drew Goddard (The Cabin In The Woods) from Andy Weir’s book, stars Damon as “an astronaut who becomes stranded on Mars and must figure out how to survive long enough to return home to Earth.”

The Martian is set for release in UK cinemas on 27 November 2015. Keep up with the latest genre news with the new issue of SciFiNow.